Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 | 3:18 p.m.
Jean Marc El Jwaidi
A Las Vegas man who is suspected of scamming millions of dollars from senior citizens got his passport back today.
Jamal Eljwaidi, also known as Jean Marc Eljwaidi, is accused of taking investors' money for real estate developments but spending it on himself.
Investigators with Secretary of State Ross Miller's office said Eljwaidi and his employees called potential investors to offer them high interest payments if they would invest in short-term loans for a shopping center project on 9.23 acres of land near Russell Road and the 215 Beltway in the southwest Las Vegas Valley.
Although the shopping center was supposed to be completed in October 2009, so far it is an empty lot, Miller said.
Eljwaidi was arrested on his return to Las Vegas from London on July 29.
Under the agreement struck today, Eljwaidi had to pay $200,000 to get the passport back. He plans to leave for France on Saturday.
If he violates the terms of the agreement with the court, he will forfeit the money and face arrest again.
Prosecutors said that they believe returning Eljwaidi's passport will mean he will not return for future court dates.
He faces an Aug. 19 hearing in bankruptcy court as lawsuits pile up against him. Eljwaidi filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy shortly before his arrest.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16.
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